QTM 2024 brought together over 300 exhibitors from 60 countries, offering an unparalleled platform for industry professionals to network, collaborate, and explore the latest trends in travel and tourism. Their focus was on fostering partnerships, sharing knowledge, and exploring emerging trends such as sustainable tourism and experiential travel. There were many Eastern European tourism boards, which is the emerging market for Qatar as a destination who attended and exhibited their offerings. The main travel agents in Qatar shared a wide space together providing the visitors an opportunity to connect and network with them. Asian tourism boards such as Korea tourism had brought in many partners with them this year. QTM 2024 aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which prioritizes economic diversification and sustainable development. Tourism is central to this vision, and Qatar is already seeing results, with 2.956 million visitors in the first seven months of 2024, representing a 26.2% growth compared to last year. The event has established itself as a premier platform for innovation and business development within the travel and tourism sector. We are fostering strategic partnerships, offering a robust hosted buyers program, facilitating B2B meetings, and hosting engaging conferences that encourage collaboration and drive industry growth. Speaking about Qatar Travel Mart 2024, Rawad Sleem, Co-founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs, the organizers of QTM, stated: “We are thrilled to open QTM 2024, which represents a milestone in Qatar’s journey to become a global tourism hub. This year’s expanded event, covering 15,000 square meters, reflects the rapid growth of Qatar’s tourism sector and its increasing importance on the world stage. QTM 2024 is not just an exhibition; it’s a catalyst for innovation, partnerships, and sustainable growth in …

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in collaboration with Sea Going Green, American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Manbat, a platform founded by Arada to facilitate stronger ties between Emirati farmers and consumers. The signing took place during Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2024 (SITTF) to consolidate support and efforts for the Carbon Reduction Initiative, and to highlight the importance and impact of sustainable development on UAE and global sustainability goals. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA; Amit Arora, Chief Operating Officer of Arada; Aleksandra (Ally) Dragozet, Founder & CEO of Sea Going Green, and Dr Steven Griffiths, Vice Chancellor for Research in AUS signed the MoU during SITTF that took place in Sharjah Expo Centre. The Carbon Reduction Initiative aims to pilot innovative food waste recovery and composting solutions within the tourism and hospitality sector, integrating cutting-edge technologies like blockchain-based carbon credit tracking to achieve measurable carbon reductions and support Sharjah’s sustainability goals. These announcements mark a pivotal advancement in SCTDA’s sustainability strategy, underscoring Sharjah’s leadership in sustainable tourism. The collaboration with esteemed partners enhances the credibility and scalability of these initiatives, ensuring that key messages emphasize SCTDA’s innovation, partnerships, and alignment with UAE and global sustainability goals.

Etihad Airways announced the launch of ten new destinations starting in 2025. This announcement, part of the air-line’s rapid expansion programme, fulfills its promise to provide guests with a route map featuring destinations they want to fly to, with connections and frequencies that suit their needs. It also al-lows Abu Dhabi to extend its renowned hospitality to more visitors from around the globe as a world-class tourism and business hub. Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This expansion reflects our com-mitment to listening to our valued guests. We’ve carefully chosen cities that embody the experi-ences, adventures, and opportunities that matter to them. Whether seeking inspiring landscapes, vibrant cultural experiences, reuniting with family and friends, pursuing business growth, or edu-cational journeys, our new routes will help make their travel dreams a reality. “This moment is not just about expanding our network; it’s about sharing Abu Dhabi with the world. With its endless sunshine, diverse cuisine, rich culture, exhilarating family theme parks, and safe, beautiful beaches, Abu Dhabi offers something for everyone. Our expanded network will make it easier than ever for guests to experience everything our home city has to offer. “Launching ten new destinations in a single day underscores our unwavering commitment to growing our airline with a fantastic route network and world-class, customer-focused service. This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of our team and the ongoing support of our guests.” The ten routes announced today will complement Etihad’s previously revealed new destinations for 2025: Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein. Etihad’s expansion is set to bring tens of thousands of new visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, boosting its position as a premier destination …

Qatar has been emerging as a premier cruise tourism destination, where residents and citizens of the GCC are invited to explore the rich tapestry of the Arabian Peninsula through luxurious cruises departing from Doha. Qatar’s 2024/25 cruise season presents a unique opportunity to experience the region’s most dynamic cities, including Doha, Oman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, all from the comfort of world-class vessels such as Costa Smeralda and Norwegian Dawn, as well as Celestyal’s maiden voyage which homeports in Doha. These cruises are designed to offer a blend of adventure and relaxation, allowing passengers to experience the unique cultures and landscapes of multiple Arabian cities. Costa Smeralda, with its 20 decks and extensive array of amenities—including 11 restaurants and a family-friendly water park—promises a luxurious journey for all ages. Celestyal Journey provides an intimate setting with wellness facilities and diverse entertainment options, ensuring that every guest feels catered to. Norwegian Dawn returns to the Gulf with an impressive selection of dining venues and activities, perfect for families seeking both comfort and engagement. By booking an Arabian cruise departing from Doha, visitors can elevate their experience by arriving early to explore Qatar’s vibrant tourism landscape, which includes renowned retail, dining, and entertainment options that cater to all ages and interests. The Mina District, where the cruise terminal is located, boasts charming streets, delightful dining options, and various entertainment venues. Its prime location near Doha’s key attractions, including the National Museum of Qatar and Museum of Islamic Art, offering visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Qatar. Convenient transportation, such as the ‘Hop On Hop Off’ Doha Bus, facilitates easy exploration of iconic landmarks, including Souq Waqif …

With a matter of weeks until its maiden voyage, AROYA, the first ship in the fleet from the first Arabian cruise line AROYA Cruises, has departed Bremerhaven, Germany for its homeport in Jeddah, Saudi. After lengthy dry docking and transformation periods in Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, AROYA is now ready for operation. AROYA has undergone the largest cruise ship refit project in the world, transforming 95% of its interior to create a brand new Remarkably Arabian experience. The vessel features an array of world-leading facilities including a souq-inspired shopping district – the largest retail area on a cruise ship – state-of-the-art spa area, 29 restaurants, lounges and cafes, 20 entertainment venues, and one of the largest kids play areas on a cruise ship. AROYA’s Maiden Voyage, departing on the 16th December, will take passengers on a three-night journey to an exclusive Red Sea private island developed by Cruise Saudi, the Public Investment Fund company which owns AROYA Cruises.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) recently hosted its first-ever Discover Jamaica Webinar for travel trade professionals in the GCC region, marking a significant step in promoting Jamaica as a premier destination to this key market. The event, held in collaboration with JTB’s GCC trade representative office, Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East, attracted an impressive registration of over 400 travel trade professionals from across the region. The webinar featured insights from Torrance Lewis, Jamaica Tourist Board’s District Sales Manager, alongside expert presenters from Buzz Travel Marketing. Participants were introduced to Jamaica’s world-class tourism offerings, highlighting the island’s luxurious resorts, vibrant culture, adventure experiences, and authentic culinary delights. “Together with our team on the ground, engaging with the GCC travel trade through this webinar highlights our commitment to building meaningful connections in the region. By showcasing Jamaica’s luxurious accommodations, rich cultural heritage, and thrilling adventures, we aim to position our island as a top-tier destination for GCC travelers seeking unforgettable experiences,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism of Jamaica Tourist Board. “The Discover Jamaica Webinar demonstrates our dedicated efforts to establish Jamaica’s presence in the GCC travel market. It provided an ideal platform to present the diverse tourism offerings of the island, that is tailored to the GCC audience with its appreciation of extraordinary travel experiences, exclusivity, and rich culture,” said Torrance Lewis, District Sales Manager of the Jamaica Tourist Board. To close the event, a raffle was drawn among attendees, with the grand prize valued at AED 19,000. The package for two included stays at the prestigious Round Hill Hotel and Villas and Half Moon Resort, access to VIP Attractions Lounge in Montego Bay Airport, meet-and-greet services, a catamaran cruise, and …

In a special interview with TravelTVMiddlee East, HE Khaled Jassim Al Midfa –  Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority shared that the United Arab Emirates 2031 vision is doubling the number of hotel guests by the year 2031 from 20 million to 40 million. And relatively the contribution to the economy from 200 billion dirhams to 450 billion dirhams by 2031. HE Midfa reiterated, “today we launched the 11th edition of the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum. And this forum every year as we see, we have a big group of international speakers as well as local entities from both the government and the private sector. We discuss the main topics that are very important to the sustainability of the tourism sector. This is a vital sector that contributes to more than 10% of the international GDP. And it’s really important that we see how our country, the United Arab Emirates, is focusing on developing the infrastructure and developing all the other aspects that are within the ecosystem of tourism such as hospitality, adventure tourism, attractions, infrastructure, airport development, airline expansion programs and plans. This is really important for us and we launched also the United Arab Emirates 2031 vision which is doubling the number of hotel guests by the year 2031 from 20 million to 40 million. And relatively we have the contribution to the economy from 200 billion dirhams to 450 billion dirhams by 2031. So we see how this is a main and vital sector and how the government of the United Arab Emirates has given it a lot of importance and has a lot of scope for development. In Sharjah as well, under the …

Deputy Minister of Strategic Planning & Monitoring at the Ministry of Tourism, Ageel Alshaibani, participated in the Ministerial Meeting on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism organized by the COP29 Presidency and hosted a side event titled “Tourism, Climate Action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” at Saudi Arabia’s National Pavilion at the climate change conference.  Alshaibani highlighted the importance of aligning tourism with climate and sustainability objectives, and detailed how the Saudi initiative on the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) will drive this critical transformation. “Tourism has a unique opportunity to lead in advancing sustainable development,” said Alshaibani. “Through STGC, we are committed to creating a tourism sector that contributes positively to the environment, strengthens local communities, and provides a model for responsible growth. Our initiatives are designed to empower governments, businesses, and communities alike to take bold steps toward a sustainable future for tourism.” The Ministerial Meeting on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism was hosted by COP29 Presidency, UN Tourism, the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan and UNEP, and gathered Ministers and high-level officials of more than 30 countries from across the globe to discuss the alignment of tourism policies and practices with climate action. Both the Ministerial Meeting and the side event hosted by Saudi Arabia showcased STGC’s mission as a multi-country, multi-stakeholder initiative organization dedicated to advancing the tourism industry’s shift toward sustainable practices. Launched by Saudi Arabia, and to be headquartered in Riyadh, STGC will bring together governments, industry leaders, academia, and civil society to join forces to address the industry’s environmental footprint, protect biodiversity, and uplift tourism-dependent communities. Alshaibani’s remarks emphasized the need for comprehensive actions that can drive measurable improvements across the tourism sector. As part of …

The game changing Wynn Resorts Limited offered an update on the construction progress of its newest resort, Wynn Al Marjan Island, the first integrated resort in the United Arab Emirates. Wynn Al Marjan Island is located 50 minutes from the Dubai International Airport in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Construction has proceeded as planned with 55% of the structural concrete now complete. The concrete structure is complete up to the 26th floor of the main resort tower, with walls extending to the 29th floor. The construction team is completing one floor per week, working toward a topping off in December 2025. In the last 100 days, the resort tower grew by 44 meters. Wynn Design and Development (WDD), employing more than 90 talented architects, designers, and creative visionaries, is overseeing all facets of the project’s design and development. Wynn Resorts is unique in that it maintains its own full-service design and architectural team. There are currently 9,100 construction team members onsite, and more than 100 concrete trucks in place on the site per day. The resort will offer 1,542 rooms and well-appointed suites. To-date, the tower structure has been completed for 1,121 guest rooms, or 73% of the total. Fit out is underway in approximately 820 rooms – including walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services. The elevator and escalator installation also began this month. Wynn Al Marjan Island will create a new category of luxury in the region through its unique collection of experiences. The twenty-two restaurants, lounges, and bars will range from high-energy social destinations to fine dining. Contributing to the atmosphere, a nightclub featuring the legendary “Only At Wynn” line-up …

At the recent Arabian Travel Awards, Pluto Travels secured the title of most promising travel company in 2024. Celebrating its 7th year, the Arabian Travel Awards acknowledge significant contributors to the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors in the UAE. This prestigious event lauds the tireless efforts of specialists that have bolstered the UAE’s flourishing travel and tourism industry. As a testament to its dedication to service, Pluto Travels has been operating for the last 17 years and has been serving a number of clients, including some very prominent names. Pluto Travel specialises in corporate and HNI travel. Further enhancing the travel experience for its patrons, Pluto Travels places an emphasis on 24 X 7 services to their customers. Bharat & Sapna Aidasani, founder and marketing director at Pluto Travels, expressed their joy at receiving the prestigious award and said,”This award is a testament to our collective effort. It’s your dedication and hard work that made this achievement possible. Together, we shine and succeed!”